MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

When disease outbreaks occur, it requires a team effort to make sure it is quickly and safely contained. The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) works alongside DATCP to ensure proper protocols are followed. Julie Sweney is the Executive Director at WLIC. She sat down with me to explain their role in livestock production health and identification. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

How does a humble soybean in a Midwest field find its way into the engine of a commercial jet? Infrastructure and friendly policy. We’re talking about the massive boom in Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF and the hurdles that still stand in the way. Paul Winters, Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications for Clean Fuels Alliance America, has the details. See omnystudio.com/listene...

In an industry as unpredictable as agriculture, having a safety net isn't just a luxury, it’s a necessity. But what happens to that net when the government shuts down, or when a massive hurricane levels a season's work? Today, we’re sitting down with Tom Zacharias, President of National Crop Insurance Services. We talk about the 'shot in the arm' provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill,...

Flies aren’t just a nuisance; they cost the livestock industry billions in lost production, and the threat of diseased flies threatens the food chain. Brian Hupp is a national account manager at Central Life Sciences. He tells us why stopping flies in the manure is the ultimate labor-free solution for your operation. Whether you're battling pasture horn flies or confinement stable flies, an...

Merry Christmas Eve from Mid-West Farm Report! The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a formal transit permit to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus. The permit grants a fleet of reindeer entry through any U.S. border port starting at 6 p.m. tonight. USDA Chief Veterinary Officer Rosemary Sifford says to keep American livestock safe, port personnel will be on hand to disinfect the sleigh’s runners...

It turns out that what’s on the plate for livestock, and our pets, is caught in a geopolitical and regulatory tug-of-war. From a dependency on China for essential vitamins to the MAHA movement's potential impact on feed standards, the American Feed Industry Association is juggling a lot of topics with us today. Leah Wilkinson is AFIA's chief policy officer. She starts off by explaining to us...

This Christmas will be a bit warmer than usual but, that also means it will be safe travels with only a slight chance of ice on the roads according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck. 8 to 12 years. That's how long it takes for a Christmas tree to grow before it is ready for our around two months of holiday celebration. Stephanie Hoff joins the show with Jeff Aissen, the owner of Aissen Tree Farm just s...

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is intensifying its efforts to boost the industry’s bottom line by expanding international markets and investing in urban education.  Through partnerships with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the Beef Checkoff is successfully marketing "the whole animal" by identifying international culinary needs that differ from domestic trends. A recent $7.9 million...

Animal Agriculture Alliance is doubling down on its efforts to promote the role of animal proteins in a balanced lifestyle.  The organization recently launched a refreshed version of its "Meat Matters" guide, a resource designed to counter campaigns like "Meatless Mondays" that have gained traction in universities and K-12 schools. Communications Director Emily Ellis explains that removing me...

Time for another Mid-West Farm Report Ride-A-Long.  An opportunity to accept invitations to find out about the latest technology and innovations Wisconsin farmers are evaluating and using.  Today we travel to Malta, IL and the site of the Syngenta Seeds Research and Development Innovation Center.  Pam Jahnke finds out about the length of time required to develop products like the ne...

Weeds remained an evolving challenge for Wisconsin farmers.  Jill Welke gets a recap from UW-Extension Weed Specialist, Dr. Rodrigo Werle.  Werle's making his rounds statewide sharing what they learned this growing season.  He says there were some breakthroughs this year that proved to be challenging.  Those breakthroughs were weeds overcoming existing chemistry to keep growing...

Wisconsin farms feature a lot of different crops and animals, but despite our diversity - it doesn't normally include reindeer.  Reindeer, otherwise known as caribou, take center stage for a lot of stories during the holiday season.  Ben Jarboe takes a fun adventure to find out more about what reindeer eat and need before their grand flight.  He gets the details from Jeff Phillips,...

"The number one issue that whenever I talk to farmers has always been labor," says Tyler Wenzlaff, director of national affairs with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. "We're not going to be able to survive if we do not have labor needs met." Wenzlaff explains that the traditional model of family-run operations has been upended via economic pressure or lack of interest from younger generations. Thi...

The Wisconsin Farmers Union concluded its 95th annual convention, celebrating a year defined by both legislative hurdles and significant internal growth.  Executive Director Danielle Endvick, who took the helm in May, tells Mid-West Farm Report that despite a volatile federal and state landscape, the organization is "busting at the seams" with new energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

For its 95th annual convention, one Wisconsin organization decided to transform the standard hotel meal into a direct investment in its own membership. By partnering with Chula Vista Resort and several regional food hubs, the event successfully sourced 70 local ingredients, ranging from storage crops like garlic and potatoes to proteins and dairy, from 40 farmer members. With the products, staff f...

Unlike previous highly pathogenic strains seen in other regions, the specific variant at a Dodge County dairy farm appears to have a minimal impact on cattle health, according to a local veterinarian. Dr. Monty Belmer is one of the partners at Waupun Veterinary Service. Being in Dodge County, where Wisconsin detected its first bird flu case in dairy cattle, they’re on alert. He explains to M...

It's a big day in Washington D.C for wolves. The House of Representatives will vote on the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. Ultimately, the decision will determine if the gray wolf will stay on the endangered species list. Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke and Wisconsin DNR Large Carnivore Specialist, Randy Johnson, discuss Wisconsin's wolf population data and movement patterns. Ag meteorologist Stu...

Think of your cheese going through TSA before it gets to you -- metal detectors, X-rays... and the careful eyes of the farmer, processor, and the dairy sanitation specialists with the state of Wisconsin. But sometimes, issues still happen. We’re getting a look at the recall process today with Elsie Lundquist. She’s one of 20 dairy sanitarians with the Department of Agriculture, Trade a...

On Thursday, the full House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. is expected to consider removing the wolf from the endangered species list.  This is a conversation Wisconsin has been watching unfold.  With more and more deprivation reports coming from south of highway 29 in Wisconsin - what don't we know about Wisconsin wolves? Randy Johnson is the Large Carnivore Specialist at the Wi...

Despite the Farmer's Bridge Assistance program and the $11 billion it's bringing to farms, there's still no Farm Bill.  Bob Bosold talks about the agenda yet to be tackled on farm policy with Rod Larew, President of the National Farmers Union.  Larew was in Wisconsin for the 95th annual meeting of the WI Farmers Union.  He says that while farms are grateful for the financial assista...

The U.S. dairy industry is experiencing lower-than-usual commodity cheese prices, but Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield is betting on long-term growth driven by consumer demand for protein and significant industry investment. Higher-than-average temperatures mid-week may bring some precipitation, only to freeze later, says ag meteorologist Stu Muck. Grace Atherton with the Wisconsin Che...

Wisconsin has gotten its first confirmed case of HPAI in a dairy herd in Dodge County, and that may leave a lot of you wondering, what does this mean for our cheese? Grace Atherton, the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association Communications Director, is here to share what these processing plants are doing to make sure our dairy foods remain safe. She says that all dairy products are safe to consume and...

It's not just soybeans caught in the crosshairs of tariffs. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is battling against tariffs and phytosanitary challenges on the global scene, too. Dan Halstrom is the CEO of USMEF. He visits with Bob Bosold about the challenges and opportunities he sees. Halstrom notes that while some markets like China are still throwing up obstacles, there are still areas like Central...

Sarah Hagenow, the 78th Alice in Dairyland, stamped her passport when she went to Shanghai, China with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. Kiley Allan catches up with Sarah and learns about her favorite parts of the trip. It's about to get colder. Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck walks us through our forecast. He reminds us to bundle up if you're going outside this weekend. The intricacies of...

Ensuring animals get the proper nutrients and energy to grow and produce as expected, their feed must be particularly crafted to fit their needs. Dr. Steve Lerner, Senior Scientific and Business Advisor at Novonesis, breaks down how and why probiotics boost livestock efficiency. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.